Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) Phase-out Requirements for Single Hull Tank Vessels

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The Coast Guard requests public comment on whether we should recognize a single hull tank vessel converted to include double sides or a double bottom as a different hull design when applying the vessel phase-out dates under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90). If we recognize a converted tank vessel as a different hull design, the vessel would fall under a different category in the OPA 90 phase-out schedule and would probably have a later phase-out date. Recent inquiries by the maritime industry indicate an interest in converting single hull tank vessels to include double sides or double bottoms to increase the vessels' operational lives past their original OPA 90 phase-out dates.